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12. Organise a discussion in your class on the topic – Are viruses living or nonliving?

Answers (1)

Viruses are considered to be intermediates between living and non-living entities. They resemble living beings in the following aspects:

1. Viruses are made up of organic macromolecules, which is characteristic of only living beings.

2. Viruses possess genetic material.

3. In the presence of a suitable host, viruses reproduce or multiply.

4. Viruses show the presence of enzymes like transcriptase and vitamins like riboflavin, etc.

5. Viruses can show mutations, antigenic properties, infectivity, host specificity, etc. 

Thus, on the basis of these features, viruses must be categorised as living. However, viruses also resemble non-living things in the following aspects:

1. Viruses lack protoplast

2. Viruses are unable to live independently as a living cell. 

3. Viruses do not show respiration, energy-storing system, growth, division, etc. 

4. Viruses can be crystallised.

Thus, based on these features, viruses can be classified as non-living things. Hence, the status of the virus as living or non-living is controversial. 

Posted by

Sonika

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